Combination razor and stropping device



F 1932. A. F. MIRAFUENTESI 1,343,831

COMBINATION RAZOR AND STROPPING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 film/v50 fiom's M/MFUE/V r56,

Feb. 2, 1932. A. F. MIRAFUENTES COMBINATION RAZOR AND STROPPING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mutoc min- I Patented Feb. 2,1932

PATENT oFFIcE" Y ALFONSO FLORES MIRAFUENTES, OF GUADALUPE, MEXICO COMBINATION RAZOR nivnsmnorrmo JJEvIoE Application filed May 17,

This invention relates to safety razors "and more'particularly to a shaving implement which may quickly be adjusted for shaving or for use as a stropper. v

Considerable difiicultyhas hitherto been encountered in constructing shaving implements of this general class, and especially it has been found an arduous task to construct a simple, sturdy, efiicient razor and strop ping device which utilizes and strops blades generally known as the Gillette and Dur ham-Duplex types. V

The most prevalent method at present employed for stropping blades of the types mentioned is to utilize a separate stropping implement or machine. A number of such de vices are now on the market.

The average man shaves hurriedly. To

remove a blade from the-razor, place it in a 6 stropper, strop it, and then replace it in the razor, not only takes considerable, time, but

often taxes the patience of the user and may result in severe cuts to the hands and fingers I of the shaver. Furthermore, such devices are usually expensive. Other disadvantages of utilizing a separate stropping machine are apparent. For example, they are clumsy and take up a considerable space-in the toilet kit or travelling =bag.' g t f It is true that'means have beeninvented for stropping' thefblades While h'eld in the razor and this is so particularly in connection with single edge blades of the Auto Strop type. 'As appliedto double edged blades of the types mentioned above such devices have proved either inefficient or cumbersome. Many of them. are'of intricate construction, having numerous gear wheels and other small partswhich not only make the 0 devices cumbersome, but easily broken or disarranged to become inoperative. One of their greatest disadvantages is thevdifliculty with which they are cleaned after shaving. The small wheels and parts become covered with soap which is Well nigh impossible to re move.

Although the razor art'has been a most prolific one, to the applicants knowledge, he is the first to invent a device of thisclass which is comprised of but few simple parts,

shown in Fig. 3. i v

1930. Serial No. 453,335.

sturdy in construction, which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost, and which is dependable andefiicient in operatlon, being particularly adapted for double ed e blades of the types mentioned.

' ne object" of this invention is "to combine with a razor a stropping device for utilizing blades of the Gillette and Durham-Duplex types.

Another object is to provide an implement of this class which is simple and sturdy in construction and efiicient in operation, an implement which maybe quickly positioned for use either as a razoror for stropping. A further object is to provide an implement of this type whereby a roper tipping or rocking motion of the blac e may be effected when moving the implement, together with the blade held therein, backand forth upon a razor strop. Furthermore, the invention has as an object the protection of the-stropping mechanism while the device is in shaving position. While used for shaving the parts are completely enclosed and are thus also kept clean and free from soap.-- v

As stilla further object, this invention aims to provide means to permit the ready association and disassociation of the blades with the device. 7

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specifi cation when read in connection with'the ac companying drawings and will be pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the device partially in section, the blade and clamping 'means being shown unassembled.

Fig. 2 representsan end view of the upper portion of the device showing the members,

in stropping position.

Fig. 3 shows the invention as suited to a blade ofthe Gillette type, the members be-. ing unassembled'. V

Fig. 4 is an end view of the clamping cap Fig. 5 is an underside view of the clamping cap. 7 Fig. 6 is an end view of the structure shown ion in Fig. 3 with the parts assembled for shavmg.

Fig. 7 shows the stropping portion as used separately from the razor.

The frame, as disclosed in the drawings and indicated therein by the reference numeral 2, may be formed of sheet metal pressed into the form of a. longitudinal member of substantially U-shaped cross-section, the bottom and sides, however, forming right angles instead of a curve. The upper side.

edges of the frame are bent outwardly and downwardly, portions of these edges being cut away to form guards or combs 4. This frame is secured intermediate its bottom to a hollow handle 6 and the base of the frame at this point has an aperture 8 therethrough providing a passageway into the handle.

A blade supporting member 10 formed in the shape of a bridge having a top portion and downwardly extending portions is pivotally mounted at 12 to a base 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the under surface of the blade supporting member is slightly convex in cross section to provide the proper angle of stropping between the blade and strop as will hereafter be described.

Intermediate the length of the base is a downwardly extending pin 16 secured thereto, the pin and the base forming a T-shaped member. The blade supporting portion and the base are of a width slightly less than the width of the U-shaped frame, and are adapted to fit therein when in shaving position, the. pin 16 extending downwardly into the hollow handle 6.

In this position as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the top of the blade supporting member is on a level with the guards 1 of the frame 2 and they form a base or resting portion for the blade for shaving.

The pin 16 secured to the base 14 is extennally threaded at its, lower extremity 18. A groove 20 is cut in the pin andextends sub.-

stantially the length and to the lower end thereof. On the inner circumference of the handle 6 is positioned a small inwardly projecting pin or lug 22 which is engaged by the groove 20 in the pin 16. This lug acts. to prevent the pin 1.6 from rotating within the handle. Within the lower internal portion of the hollow handle 6 is positioned a female member 24 integral with a knurled knob 26. The knurled knob and the female member are rotatably mounted within the handle, being held in position by an annular groove 28 therein engaged by an annular ring 30 positioned on the inner circumference of the handle near the base thereof, thus retaining the female member within the handle but permittingit to rotate with the knurled knob. The female member is internally threadedto receive the pin 16.

By the above described means the bladev supporting member maybe drawn within the U-shaped frame for shaving, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, or may be extended upwardly free and clear of the frame so to pivot for stropping. The threaded end of the pin 16 being engaged by the female member, and the lug 22 preventing the retation of the pin, the blade supporting memher is thus drawn either downward or forced upwards as desired when the knob is turned. In the shaving position the blade supporting member and its base are enclosed by the frame, which acts as an enclosure to prevent the members from becoming filled with shaving soap.

The upper surface of the blade supporting member 10 is provided with means for securing the blade thereto as will be discussed later in describing the invention adapted to utilize blades of the Gillette and Durham-Duplex types.

Between the blade supporting member 10 and the base 14 are positioned longitudinal guide bars 32. When the device is used for stropping, a razor strop indicated by the reference numeral 3 1 is placed between the convex underside of the blade supporting member 10 and the guide bars 32, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. As the device is pushed and pulled on the strop, the blade supporting member freely pivots on its base to provide the proper rocking and tipping movement necessary for stropping, the convex underside of the blade supporting member providing theproper angle at which the strop and blade meet.

It will be apparent that the stropping device may be used separately from the razor. As shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the pin is screwed on the handle 6 but it is apparent that the base it may be secured directly to a handle.

As used with a razor blade of the Gillette type, the upper surface ofthe blade supporting member is provided with studs or bosses 36 which are in alignment with the apertures in the razor blade. 18. The two outer studs or bosses are slotted at 38. The blade is placed on the blade supporting member, the studs or bosses passing through the aperture in the blade. To secure the blade to the blade supporting member the invention contemplates the use of a clamping cap 40 which is illustrated in Figs. 3, f and 5 of the drawings. As shown in Fig. i of the drawings which is. an end View of the clamping cap, this member is substantially the same in shape as the ordinary clamp used on razors of the Gillette type. Its underside, however, has three recesses 42 therein as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. The two outer recesses have undercut portions 14:. These recesses are in alignment with the bosses and when the portions are assembled the upper portions of the bosses are engaged by the undercut sections in the cap. Preferably cesses and of a thickness less than the depth ,through are then made by soldering a smallportion of metal which is half the length of the reto its slightly flexed position, to effectively retain the clamping cap on the studs or bosse 1n clamping position. r For utilizing a blade of the Durhan -Duplea type,- the upper surface of the blade supporting member 10 is provided with languets or tongues 46 which may be stamped from the blade supporting member. The blade 48 'with the longitudinal aperture therein is placed on the blade supporting portion, the languets or tongues 46. extend ing through the longitudinal aperture. The blade is retained in position by means of a clamping bar 50 having apertures 52 therefor engaging the languets or tongues. To secure the blade the clamping bar 50 is pressed in one direction by the u turned portion 54 so that the underside of the languetsor tongues will engage the upper surface of the clamping bar.

A combination razor and stropping implement constructed according to the above description presents a neat, compact device. By the simple turn of a knob the implement maybe quickly positioned for either shavin or stropping." Because of its sturdy construction, its relatively few parts, the device is easily manufactured at a minimum cost. With no wheels or small parts to break orget out of order, and because of the quickness and ease of its operation, the implement is a highly desirable article. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a safety razor, the combination of a T-shaped base and a blade supporting member pivotally mounted thereon so as toprovide a space therebetween for the passage of a strop, a handle supported U-shaped frame having guards on'its upper edges, said handle and frame supporting the blade supporting member and T-shaped base, means to draw said bladesupporting member down within said frame to press theblade edges against the guards, and to positively move said blade supportlng member free' above said frame to ermit ivotin thereof for app v 2. In a safety razor, the combination of a lo itudinal frame of U-shaped cross-section having outwardly extending guards on its upper edges, a hollow handle secured to said frame, the frame having an aperture therein longitudinal frame of substantially U-shaped engaging said lug;

providing a passageway. into said handle, a

T-;shaped base having a -portion extending through said aperture lIlllOiSELld handle, a blade supporting member pivotally mounted on said T-shaped-base so asto provide a space therebetween forthe passage of a strop, means to draw said blade supporting member and said base down within said frame and handle to-press-theblade edges against 7 the guards, said means being also adapted to positively. move said blade supporting mem-' her free above said frame to permit pivoting thereof for stropping.

3.. In asafety razor, the combination of a cross-section, said framehaving outwardly extending guards on its upper edges, a hols lowhandle secured to said frame, said frame having anaperture in the base thereof providing a passagewayintosaid handle, a pin threaded at one end extending through said aperture into said handle, a basemember'se cured to said pin at rightangles thereto, a longitudinal blade supporting member having downwardly extending end portions, said blade supporting member being pivotally mounted at its ends on said base member, said base member and said blade supporting member being of the same length, height,iand

width as the inner dimensions of. said U- shaped frame, means to draw said blade sup porting member and said base member down within said frame, said means comprising an internally threaded female member rotatably mounted within said handle and engaging the. threaded end of said pin, an inwardly projecting lug on the inner surface of said handle, said pinhaving a groove therein extending substantially the length thereof and 4. In a stropping device, a handle, a longitudinal base member secured intermediate its length to sa-id han'dle, blade-supporting member having downwardly extending end 7 portions, saldblade supporting member pivotally mounted on said base, guide bars positioned between the blade supporting memher and said base member and secured to the downwardly extending end portions of the I blade supporting member providing a guidmg passage between said blade supporting member and said guide bars for the passage of a strop.

5. In a safety razor, a handle, a frame mounted on said handle, abase, ablade supporting member pivoted to said base, means to move said base toward and from the frame,

cooperatingmeans on the frame and on the 7 6. In a safety razor, a blade, a bladesupporting member, upwardly extending studs on said blade supporting member, said studs having lateral projections at their upper ends and adapted to pass through the openings in the blade, and a downwardly concave c1a1np ing cover of a width greater than the width of the said blade supporting member and adapted to engage the edges of the blade be yond the sides of the blade supporting mem her to curve the blade, said clamping cap having undercut recesses in the lower side thereof, said recesses engaging said studs and cooperating therewith to hold said cover removably in position on said blade support-- ing member, said cover being pressed by the resiliency of the curved blade away from the blade supporting member, whereby to increase the friction between said cooperating studs and recesses to hold said cover in position.

7. In a safety razor, a handle, a frame mounted on said handle, a T-shaped base, a blade supporting member pivoted to said base, the pivotal axis of said blade supporting member being spaced from the blade supporting portion of said blade supporting member to provide a space between said base and blade supporting member for the insertion of a strop, and means to move said base positively toward and from said frame, said blade supporting member being freely movable when the base is moved away from the frame.

8. In a safety razor, a frame, a pivotally mounted blade supporting member movable toward said frame to press a blade against the frame and away from the frame into stropping position, the pivotal axis of said blade supporting member being spaced from the blade supporting portion of said blade supporting member, and means connecting the frame and the blade supporting member to move the blade stropping member positively from either portion to the other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature.

ALFONSO FLORES MIRAFUENTES. 

